I felt the need to share this bit of knowledge with you because sometimes I think blogs and pinterest
and instagram can create a sort of bubble of perceived perfection that does not line up with reality at all.
I could rattle off a list of things that we need to get done in our current home that would send a lot of people running for their nearest realtor but instead I'd rather share the projects that we're planning or have finished or maybe we've started that are somewhere in between (which seems to be the longest list of all right now). I hope that in sharing our plans and limitations you might look at where you live and see the possibilities instead of what's wrong and be inspired to make whatever changes you can.
I am working on a post that will share ways to find out what your signature colors are and how you can incorporate them into your home in a way that will make you smile and love your home whether it's in the perfect location or size or the list of what it still needs out numbers the list of finished projects.
This has caused me to spend a considerable amount of time looking through magazines, blogs and pinterest boards to come up with examples to share.
Now don't get me wrong, I am all about inspiration and love nothing more than to fritter away time looking at beautiful pictures but if I'm not careful I can come away feeling more defeated than inspired. I don't want that ever to be the case when you visit here.
The reality of it is that on most days you will find dirty dishes in the sink, stacks of papers and toys waiting to be put away and more projects started than I will ever have time to complete.
I love to decorate and can't wait to share what I'm doing with you. I just want to make sure you understand that what I share is only a cropped out snapshot of my life. There are five people living in our small home and life and messes happen...a lot.
xo, Patty
I'm joining the ladies over at Thoughts of Home Thursday again this week.
Tis life...the family with their messes. I think our need for "pretty" is because of those little messy people, but we wouldn't want it any other way. When they move out it is way too quiet as is the case at our house. Hubby and I get so excited when both of the kids are here. I love your little cottage and I grew up with a train close by. It is one of those things you just know is there. It is oddly strange when you don't hear it.
ReplyDeleteHi Patty! What a lovely post again! Your photos are beautiful and look real which is nice because too 'white ful simple design' photos make us feel that our homes are only mess. Does thoese train make lot of noice? We live near to the airport and planes pass almost over us. Somehow I like to see them and to think all those stories people carry there (coming for holidays with big hopes, leaving home with memories etc.) x Teje
ReplyDeleteI like that you have a train nearby, the sound of a train always reminds me of my Dad. He grew up on a small farm in Shin Hollow, NY. The Erie line ran in front of his house. When his father lost his job during the depression, he got a job on the Erie and sadly was killed in a train accident less than a month later. In spite of that, my Dad always loved trains. He is the only person I knew who enjoyed being stopped at a crossing, he believed it was a reminder that we all needed to slow down and allow ourselves to ponder all that is good in the world.
ReplyDeleteYour style, both home dec & fashion, is inspiring and I enjoy your blog!
This is so perfect for Thoughts of Home on Thursday. :)
ReplyDeleteOur house is far from perfect too. It's new but in a jam packed neighborhood. We can stand on our patio and talk in a normal voice to our next door neighbors. And....our next door neighbors (who we love) have too many cars and they are parked in the street. I don't like it but they are wonderful people so that's life.
Nobody's house is perfect but pictures surely can deceive.
Your pictures of your home are always so pretty and inspiring, Patty. Anyone who has been following you like I have knows how real your life is. It's you attitude about that real was that always shines through. We live on a really busy noisy street. I don't even notice the noise any more. I love my little home with all its imperfections too. Great post as usual.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about blogs offering snippets of our home and lives, sometimes prettified. We don't always share about the freight train or the brambles in our gardens. Good point.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you spoke up about that and that you were courageous enough to share. I have stopped looking at certain blogs because they were just a little too "perfect" for my tastes and looked just like everyone elses. Yours is unique and ha your personality (which by the way, I LOVE!). I like homes that cute, colorful and cozy and yours fits the bill. Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeletePerfect post for me today - I really needed to hear those words. I sometimes get so caught up on all the things we need for the house (decor-wise), not to mention all the things that are wrong with it and what needs fixing and replacing (a long list). I also get a little envious of those who live in beautiful climates or those who have a lot of land with no close-by neighbors. Blogs, magazines, Pinterest etc. make it feel like everyone else's houses are perfect...that no one else has neighbors on top of them, windows that need replacing, basements packed with too much stuff, bedrooms with no curtains...the list goes on! Have a good weekend, Patty!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness we all have the same issues, same house problems, the same everything.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for being as open and kind and supportive as you are.
Thank you for joining our 2nd Thoughts of Home on Thursday party.
It means a lot.
*pinning to our TOHOT board.
Wonderful post and a good reality check. Truthfully, many of my photo's have been taken after I pushed all the junk mail, books water glasses etc. out of the line of the lens, LOL! As for the train,when I was growing up the tracks were across the vacant lot from my grandmother's back door and when we went to visit we would rush out the door at the first sound of a train to race across the street and wave at the engineer and then to count the cars as they went by...wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteYour blog continues to be a source of inspiration and truth for me. I read every single post.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up friend!
My dad worked on the railroad when I was a kid. To this day the sound of a train whistle takes me back. Sadly the train stopped running through our town many years ago and my dad lost his job. I think the internet is a wonderful thing . . . but it can be intimidating. My dad always says "if you stick close to home you feel like you've done pretty well . . . if you go somewhere else you realize you don't have nuthin!" And sadly he is right. Just yesterday an old friend of mine texted me a picture of her kitchen remodel. It is absolutely magazine worthy. Simply stunning, and I'm just guessing they spent $50,000-$75,000 on it. And possibly more. That can make you walk into your old kitchen with a look of disdain. But not everybody gets the new house life. I live on a farm. Some people would say "oh wow, how lucky you are, you don't have neighbors." Well, I say no, I don't have neighbors. But I have flies, millions of flies in the summertime. Every day on my way to work I drive through cow manure on our gravel drive up to the gravel county road. It is either mud or dust. Yes, there are a few people who I think really do "have it all" but I can promise you I don't and I've mentioned that before on my blog. Thanks for keeping it real my friend. Blessings from Missouri. It's a BEAUTIFUL February day here!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a good message and I adore all the polka dots.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a joy to have you join the gathering at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. You really help to elevate it to something very special.
What perfect description - "bubble of perceived perfection"
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ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteIt is so easy to get bogged down on the problems of a house. A few weeks ago on Instagram, @patriciagram65 shared the quote, "talk about your blessings more than you talk about your burdens". There is so much that still needs to be done, but there is far more that is wonderful.